Even though my friends and co-workers frequently complement my skin, I still struggle with breakouts like any normal human. Hormones, stress, eating too many Oreos, the bonkers weather—all of these can impact sebum production and inevitably lead to acne. It’s rude, believe me, especially when you’ve been diligent with your summer skincare routine. You’d think that by following the product regimen that your skin typically enjoys, it would just freaking cooperate. Alas, that is not the case, which is why I’ve been battling breakouts for the last few weeks, and frankly, I’m sick of it.
The kicker with acne, as anyone who has ever seen a juicy whitehead pop up on their face, neck, chest, or butt, is that you can’t just erase the inflammation overnight. It takes patience and persistence to not only heal the spot but also minimize the risk of it leaving hyperpigmentation behind. So while changing some lifestyle habits is a crucial part of clearing up acne (for me, I need to cut out sugar and booze, drink more water, change my pillow cases every three days, and get more sleep) there are a few key products and ingredients I swear by to banish breakouts as quickly as possible. Prepare for salicylic acid to become your new best friend.
